Police in Arizona arrested a suspected arsonist at a Tesla dealership after he allegedly lit a newly delivered Cybertruck on fireplace.
Mesa police responded simply earlier than 2:00 a.m. on Monday, April 28, to stories of an explosion on the Tesla Service Middle in Mesa, Ariz.
Witnesses reported smoke and flames close to the constructing, which officers decided had been coming from a newly delivered Tesla Cybertruck.
Footage from Fox Information affiliate, KSAZ-TV, captured federal and state regulation enforcement surrounding the Tesla dealership after the hearth was put out.
The arson suspect, recognized by native police as 35-year-old Ian Moses, allegedly wrote “THEIF” (sic) on the facet of the dealership earlier than setting the Cybertruck on fireplace.
The footage captured the charred electrical truck as investigators taped off the scene. No accidents had been reported.
Throughout their investigation, police stated they observed a suspicious van parked close by and noticed a person driving a bicycle approaching and opening the van’s door.
Officers instantly contacted the person and recognized the suspect.
Investigators had been capable of match Moses to safety photographs captured by the Tesla Safety Middle in the course of the incident.
He was arrested and booked into jail for one rely of arson of a construction and property.
The Mesa Police Division introduced that it’s collaborating with federal authorities, and extra prices towards Moses are pending because the investigation continues.
This arrest comes amid a broader nationwide motion focusing on Musk’s corporations, pushed by activists protesting the billionaire’s involvement with the Trump administration.
Fox Information Digital has reported on latest Tesla vandalism incidents nationwide.
A Minnesota man is accused of inflicting $20,000 in injury to Tesla autos. Surveillance footage in Florida captured two suspects ramming by means of a dealership gate and stealing a Tesla.
And a Los Vegas man attacking a Tesla dealership is now going through federal prices.
In March, Lawyer Common Pam Bondi introduced that the Division of Justice would pursue federal prices towards vandalizers.
“The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism,” she stated. “We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes.”
Officers have urged anybody with further details about the suspected arson incident to come back ahead because the investigation continues.
Fox Information Digital has reached out to the Mesa Police Division and Tesla Inc. for remark.